Islam Makhachev's plight makes Joe Rogan reveal this one major UFC rule he wanted gone when Endeavour bought the company for $4 billion

Islam Makhachev’s alleged weight-cutting challenges have reignited Joe Rogan’s long-standing criticism of the UFC’s approach to weight management. During a recent podcast episode with Jiri Prochazka, Rogan criticized the current weight-cutting system, describing it as "sanctioned cheating" with potentially dangerous consequences.

He argued that fighters like Makhachev, who endure significant weight cuts, are often left physically depleted, impacting both performance and long-term health. Rogan also spoke about the toll weight-cutting takes on fighters, especially when recovery time is insufficient.

He suggested replacing weight-cutting with a more transparent system where fighters compete closer to their natural weight. This could be enforced through random weigh-ins and expanded weight classes every 10 pounds. Speaking about the issue during episode #165 of The Joe Rogan Experience, he said:

"I think weight-cutting should be eliminated. I said this to Ari Emanuel [CEO of Endeavor] when they first bought the UFC. I said, 'Listen man, you know what you [should] do? Get rid of weight-cutting, just stop it... If you can randomly test people for drugs, you can randomly test their weight."

Rogan added:

"Instead of having weight cuts just find out what the champion weighs. Don't get rid of the championship belts. Find out what does Islam Makhachev weigh. Islam Makhachev is a UFC champion [and] the best pound-for-pound fighter on Earth. Find out what he weighs. What do you weigh if you were healthy, if weight cutting didn't exist? Would it be 185 [or] 190? Whatever that is... That's how you fight now and we're not going to weigh you in the day before and let you rehydrate. That's crazy talk. Fight people your size."

Check out Joe Rogan's comments below (1:12:20):

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When Joe Rogan labeled Alex Pereira's weight cut to middleweight as "sanctioned cheating"

Joe Rogan strongly criticized Alex Pereira's weight cut to middleweight, labeling it as "sanctioned cheating."

Pereira, a naturally massive fighter who reportedly reaches over 220 pounds between fights, drastically cuts weight to compete at 185 pounds. Rogan highlighted the physical strain of such extreme cuts during a podcast episode with Steve-O, stating:

"He [Alex Pereira] could have been, he could have been [over 220 pounds]. I mean, he certainly, he gets above that in between fights, and he has a hard time making 185 [pounds]. It's a bullsh*t thing. It's basically sanctioned cheating, it really is, but everybody does it."

Check out Joe Rogan's comments below (11:00):